虛堂和尚語錄 9.34

9.34

Ascending the hall to thank the incoming and outgoing two ranks [of monastic officers]: "There being guest and host, there being ritual and music—this is called a sandalwood monastery, its host; upright in mind and sincere in intention, treating things like spring—this is its guest, a standard for future students, weighing and adapting to changes. If suddenly guest and host mutually blend, and ritual and music become one, how then?" Striking the staff, he said: "Though told it was a dragon, they just would not believe it; / indeed, he carried home the brocade banner!"